Glen battles heart problems and takes on charity challenge

A grandfather who has battled heart problems will be taking on a new challenge for charity.

Glen Hadley, of Cawston, will be cycling 90 miles from Oxford to Cambridge to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

The event takes place on September 19, three years after the 56-year-old had his first of two “heart episodes” in 2011.

The father-of-three said: “I knew something was wrong when I started to feel tired, lethargic and generally not myself – luckily though, I went into hospital before I had a heart attack and I had a stent fitted.

“A year later, I had my second ‘heart episode’.

“It was scary.

“Both my parents died from heart disease – my mum, when I was just 14 and my dad 16 years ago. My children didn’t know their grandma, for me the thing that frightened me most was that my grandchildren would grow up not knowing me.

“I was scared I was just going to be a photograph on the shelf.

“That was the driving force I needed.”

Glen added he knew things had to change.

He said: “I had spent far too much time in hospital and I didn’t want to go back there any time soon.”

Through the hospital, Glen came into contact with the cardiac rehab unit, at St Cross, in Rugby, which works with the British Heart Foundation to provide support for people like Glen.

“I remember when I went for my first session, I didn’t think I’d be able to do much more than walking round the block,” said Glen.

“Thanks to the team at the cardiac rehab unit though, three years later and I’m training for a 90-mile bike ride.

“I owe everything to them.”

Glen has lost more than three stone since he started his new fitness regime.

Specialist exercise instructor Dave Montgomery, who has been supporting Glen at the cardiac rehab unit, said Glen was a “completely different person” to when he first met him. He said: “Glen had a goal and he wanted to achieve it, I’ve just helped him along the way.